Collapsible pushchair

ABSTRACT

A collapsible pushchair can be expanded into a deployed state for carrying a child and collapsed into a portable state for being carried as a piece of luggage. Transformation of the pushchair between its deployed and portable states is enabled by the use of rotationally mounted chair legs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Great Britain Patent Application No.GB0521298.0, filed Oct. 19, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pushchair which can be expanded intoa deployed state to carry a child, and can be collapsed into a portablestate for carrying. In particular, it relates to a pushchair which canbe collapsed into the form of a piece of luggage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A pushchair for a child which can be converted into the form of asuitcase is known in the art. For example, US2004/0026882 discloses aconvertible luggage device, which can be converted into a pushchair.This has the disadvantage that the seat for a child in the pushchairstate is of inappropriate dimensions for a small child.

GB 2,285,776 discloses a chair for a child which can be converted into aform of a suitcase. The dimensions of the seat do, not match thoserequired for a child to sit comfortably on the seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a collapsible chair according to claim 1.Thus, the chair provides a seat which is suitable for carrying a smallchild. The pushchair can be collapsed to have relatively small outerdimensions, allowing easy transport and storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described,by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pushchair of the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is perspective view of the hinge mechanism of the pushchair ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a front view of the hinge mechanism of the pushchair of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 c is a cut-away front view of the hinge mechanism of thepushchair of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the hinge mechanism of the pushchair ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of part of the hinge mechanism of thepushchair of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the pushchair ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a frontal view of the pushchair of the present invention inits collapsed portable state;

FIG. 7 a is a perspective view of a first reclining embodiment of thepushchair of the present invention;

FIGS. 7 b and 7 c are side views of the first reclining embodiment ofthe pushchair of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 8 a is a perspective view of a second reclining embodiment of thepushchair of the present invention;

FIGS. 8 b, 8 c and 8 d are side views of the second reclining embodimentof the pushchair of FIG. 8 a;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first canopy embodiment of thepushchair of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first canopy embodiment of thepushchair of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second canopy embodiment of thepushchair of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second canopy embodiment of thepushchair of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third canopy embodiment of thepushchair of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the third canopy embodiment of the pushchairof FIG. 13 with the canopy deployed as a rain cover;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a pushchair of any one of thepreviously illustrated embodiment in its collapsed state;

FIG. 16 is a alternative view of the FIG. 15 pushchair in its collapsedstate; and

FIGS. 17 a to 17 g show schematically a pushchair of any of thepreviously illustrated embodiment in various positions between adeployed state and a collapsed portable state.

FIG. 18 is a frontal view of the pushchair of the present invention inits collapsed portable state, wherein the front legs rotate on twounparallel plans.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION(s)

With reference to FIG. 1, a pushchair 1 of the present invention isshown in its first state, deployed to carry a child. The pushchair 1comprises a seat 2 for carrying an infant or small child. The seat 2 isformed of a seat back 11 and a seat base 12. The seat back 11 issupported by a seat frame 3. The seat frame 3 comprises two elongatemembers extending on each side of the seat back 11, and secured to theseat back 11.

The pushchair 1 comprises two rear legs 4, the rear legs 4 each havingat least one rear wheel 5 rotatably attached to the distal end of eachleg 4. The pushchair comprises two front legs 6, the front legs eachhaving at least one front wheel 7 rotatably attached to the distal endof the leg. The rear legs 4 extend rearwardly and downwardly from theseat. A pivot mechanism 13 joins the seat 2, the front legs 6 and therear legs 4. The seat 2 is connected to the pivot mechanism 13 by theseat frame 3, the seat frame 3 rigidly connected to the pivot mechanism13. The front legs 6 and rear legs 4 are rotatably connected to thepivot mechanism 13, so that the front legs 6 and rear legs 4 can rotaterelative to the seat 2 and seat frame 3.

A handle 8 is connected to the seat frame 3. The handle 8 issubstantially n-shaped, having a horizontal pushing bar 20 connected totwo downwardly extending arms 21. The arms 21 are slideabletelescopically within the seat frame 3, such that the position of thepushing bar 20 can be varied. A locking means 9 can lock the handle 8 inthe required position relative to the seat frame 3.

The pushchair 1 functions as a conventional pushchair, in which aninfant is transported in a seated position in the seat 2. A seatbelt 10ensures that the infant remains safely seated in the seat 2.

The pushchair 1 is collapsible so as to have smaller exteriordimensions. This allows the pushchair 1 in its collapsed state to beeasily transported and stored. In particular, the pushchair 1 in itscollapsed state is of a weight and dimensions necessary to meet therequirements of commercial airlines to be carried on board an aeroplaneas hand luggage. The pushchair is of particular use when travelling,especially by aeroplane.

With reference to FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c, the pivot mechanism 13 isshown in detail. The pivot mechanism 13 extends across the width of thepushchair 1, and rotatably connects the seat frame 3, rear legs 4 andfront legs 6. The pivot mechanism 13 shown in FIG. 2 is in the collapsedstate of the pushchair 1.

The pivot mechanism 13 comprises a shaft 14 extending over substantiallythe whole width of the pushchair 1. The seat frame 3 is rigidly attachedto the distal ends of the shaft 14, the seat frame 3 extendingperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 14. The front legs6 are rotatably secured to the shaft 14 adjacent to the distal ends,inside of the seat frame 3. The front legs 6 are rotatable in a planeperpendicular to the axis of the shaft 14.

The rear legs 4 are rotatably attached to the shaft 14 inside of thefront legs 6, in close proximity to the points at which the front legsmeet the shaft 14. The rear legs 4 rotate in planes which are notperpendicular to the axis of the shaft 14, but are angled relative tothe shaft, each rear leg 4 lying in a plane lying at the same angle tothe shaft 14. The axis of rotation of the rear legs are configured suchthat when in their collapsed, retracted, state their wheel-bearingdistal ends are close together and when the rear legs are in theirdeployed state they are spaced relatively far apart.

Each rear leg 4 rotates about a hub 40 secured to the shaft 14. The hub40 has a cylindrical outer surface 41 about which the rear leg 4rotates. The cylindrical surface 41 is inclined to the longitudinal axisof the shaft 14, such that the rear leg 4 rotates in a plane inclined tothe longitudinal axis of the shaft 14.

Each front leg 6 is attached to the shaft 14 around an extension 44 ofthe seat frame 3. The extension 44 has an outer surface parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the shaft 14, such that the front leg 6 rotatesaround the shaft 14.

The rear legs 4 are maintained in their axes of rotation by stops 37.The stops 37 are located on the shaft 14, inside of the rear legs 4, andare rigidly secured to the shaft 41. Each stop 37 has an inwardly facingsurface in contact with a rear leg 4. The stop surface is angled to theplane of the shaft 14 by an angle equivalent to the angle of theinclined surface 41. Each stop 37 prevents a rear leg 4 from movinginwardly along the shaft, whilst allowing the rear leg 4 to rotate aboutan inclined axis.

When the pushchair 1 is in a state to carry a child the rear legs 4 aredeployed in their outwardly splayed condition. The rear legs 4 and rearwheels 5 have a greater separation than the separation of the frontwheels 7, providing good stability of the pushchair 1.

As the pushchair 1 is converted into its collapsed, state, the rear legs4 are converged together during rotation. The separation of the rearlegs 4 and rear wheels 5 in this state is less than the separation ofthe front legs 6 and front wheels 7. This allows the rear wheels 5 to belocated between the front wheels 7 when the pushchair 1 is in itscollapsed state, providing for small exterior dimensions of thecollapsed pushchair 1.

The pivot mechanism comprises means for limiting the movement of thefront legs 6 and rear legs 4 relative to the seat frame 3. The frontlegs 6 and rear legs 4 are only able to rotate between the angles atwhich they are located in the deployed state and in the collapsed state.This makes it easier for the user to convert the pushchair 1 between thecollapsed state and the deployed state, since the legs 4,6 are stoppedat substantially the correct position for use in the deployed orcollapsed state.

The limiting of rotation of the rear legs 4 is effected by a first pin38 extending from each front leg 6, the pin 38 engaging with a curvedgroove 39 on each rear leg 4. The groove 39 extends in an arc to allowfree rotation of the rear leg 4 over a certain range of angles. The endsof the groove 38 substantially corresponds with the angle of rotation ofthe rear leg 4 relative to the front leg 6 in the deployed state and inthe collapsed state.

A second pin 42 extends from each of the front legs 6, from the oppositeside of the front leg 6 to the first pin 38. The second pin 42 engageswith a curved groove 43 on the seat frame 3. The groove 43 extends in anarc to allow free rotation of the front leg 6 over a certain range ofangles. The ends of the groove 43 substantially corresponds with theangle of rotation of the front leg 6 relative to the seat frame 3 in thedeployed state and in the collapsed state.

FIG. 3 shows the mechanism by which the front legs 6 and rear legs 4 arejoined to the shaft 14 and locked in either a first, pushchair, state ora second, collapsed, state. Each front leg 6 is provided with an annularportion 18 at its proximal end. The annular portion 18 defines acircular bore 19, having a slightly larger diameter then the shaft 14.The bore 19 receives shaft 14, such that the annular portion 18 canfreely rotate about the shaft 14. The annular portion 18 is providedwith two notches 17. The notches are of a slightly larger width than alocking bar 15.

The locking bar 15 is connected to the seat frame 3, and is slidablerelative to the seat frame 3. A spring 16 urges the locking bar 15toward the front leg annular portion 18. When the locking bar 15coincides with a notch 17, the locking bar 15 is urged into the slot.Once the locking bar 15 is in a notch 17, it is not possible for thefront leg 6 to rotate relative to the seat frame. The two notches 17correspond to the two relative angles between the seat frame 3 and thefront legs 6 in the deployed (pushchair) state and in the collapsedstate. One notch 17 is positioned so that in the first state the frontleg extends downwardly and forwardly of the pivot mechanism 13, and theother notch 17 is positioned so that in the second state the front legextends parallel and in the plane of the seat frame 3.

Each rear leg 4 has a corresponding annular portion (not shown), havingnotches which are engageable by the locking bar 15. The notches arepositioned such that the rear legs 4 can be locked in place in the firststate to extend downwardly and rearwardly of the pivot mechanism, and inthe second state, the rear legs 4 extend substantially in the plane ofthe seat frame 3.

The locking bar 15 and notches of the front and rear legs 6,4 arechamfered to an equivalent degree. This improves the ease of engagementof the locking bar 15 into the notches 17.

In the deployed state and the collapsed state, it is the locking bar 15which fastens the legs 4,6 in position, and not the pins 38. Althoughthe pins 38 and grooves 39 limit movement of the legs 4,6 toapproximately the deployed and collapsed positions of the legs 4,6, thegrooves 39 extend over a slightly larger range of angles than defined bythe notches 17. This means that the stress on the pivot mechanism 13,particularly when in use in the deployed state, is resisted by thelocking bar 15 and not the pins 38.

FIG. 4 shows how the annular portion 18 is secured to the proximal endof a front leg 6. The legs 6 have a hole 23 which coincides with a hole24 in the annular portion 19. A pin or screw 25 is fastened in the holes24,25 to securely attach each annular portion 19 to the legs 6.

With reference to FIG. 5, the locking bar 15 is connected to a slider 44on the seat frame 3. A user can raise the locking bar 15 by pullingupwardly on the slider 44, disengaging the locking bar 15 from thenotches 17.

The pushchair 1 has a footrest 26. A child may put their feet on thefootrest when sitting in the seat 2, in order to assist them to sitcomfortably and securely. The footrest 26 is rotatable between the firstand second states of the pushchair 1. In the first state of thepushchair 1 shown, the footrest 26 has its upper surface 27 facingsubstantially upwardly for receiving the feet of the child.

With reference to FIG. 6, the pushchair 1 is shown in its collapsedstate. The rear legs 4, front-legs 6 have been rotated intosubstantially the plane of the seat frame 3. The rear legs 4 convergedue to their axes of rotation about the shaft 14, and allow the rearwheels 5 to be located substantially between the front wheels 7. Thepositioning of the front wheels 7 between the rear wheels 5 means thatthe pushchair 1 has very small exterior dimensions in this state.

In the second, collapsed, state of the pushchair 1, the footrest rotatesso that the upper surface 27 is in the same plane as the rear legs 4.The upper surface 27 of the footrest is flush against the rear legs 6,so that the pushchair 1 can assume the smallest overall dimensionspossible. FIG. 6 shows the handle 8 retracted into the seat frame 3.

With reference to FIGS. 7 a to 7 c, the seat 2 is provided with means toallow the seat to be reclined. This is of particular importance for thecomfort of younger children, who may require a reclined seat. The seatback 11 is connected to the seat frame 3 by a concertina portion 28. Theconcertina portion 28 comprises a triangular-shaped flexible, material.The concertina portion 28 allows movement between the seat back 11 andseat base 12, so that the seat back 11 can recline.

The seat back 11 is held in its more upright position by a zip 29 alongeach side of the seat 2. The zip 29 joins the two sides of theconcertina portion together, and so maintains the concertina portion 19in its folded state. When the zips 29 are unfastened, the concertinaportion 28 expands by unfolding, the seat back 11 reclines at an angleto the seat frame 3.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. the pushchair 1 may comprise a canopy30, which may act as a cover over a child to protect the child fromlight rain or bright sunlight. The canopy 30 may be rotatably attachedto the inside of the seat frame 3. The canopy 30 comprises folds so thatit is expandable to provide a large area in use, and folds to a smallsize when stored. FIG. 9 shows the canopy 30 stored out of use on theseat base 12. The canopy 30 can be rotated to a position above the seat2 for use, as shown in FIG. 10.

With reference to FIG. 14, the pushchair 1 may comprise a rain cover 31.The rain cover 31 completely encloses the seat 2 to provide completeprotection for the child from rain or other adverse weather conditions.

With reference to FIG. 15, the pushchair may comprise a flap 32. Theflap 32 is made of a flexible material, which can be rolled up and sostored out of the way of the legs 4, 6 in the first state. The flap 32is secured in position by means of a hook-and-loop fastener and/or azip.

When the pushchair 1 is in its collapsed state, the flap 32 is moveableto cover the front legs 6 and rear legs 4. This protects the front legs6 and rear legs 4, and hides the legs 4, 6 from view so that thepushchair 1 resembles a piece of luggage in its collapsed state.

The pushchair 1 may include a carrying strap 33. The carrying strap 33is connected at two points to the seat frame 3, to allow the pushchair 1to be carried in its collapsed state on the shoulder of a user.

The pushchair may comprise additional wheels, which extend from thepushchair 1 in its collapsed state. This allows the pushchair 1 in itscollapsed state to be wheeled along as a piece of luggage.

With reference to FIG. 16, the pushchair 1 has one or more storagecompartments 34 for the storage of items. The storage compartments 34are closed by a zip or any other suitable means. The storagecompartments 34 may be accessible in both the first and second states ofthe pushchair 1.

The pushchair 1 in its collapsed state is smaller than typical airlinesize requirements for hand luggage. Typical dimensions for hand luggageare 55 cm ×40 cm ×20 cm. The collapsed pushchair 1 is preferablysufficiently smaller than these dimensions to permit items to be storedin the storage compartments 34 and still remain within the permitteddimensions.

The front wheels 7 are preferably castored to the front legs 6, to allowswivelling of the front wheels 7 and hence steering of the pushchair.The front wheels 7 may be positioned in the collapsed state at 90degrees to their normal position pointing forwards in the deployedstate. This allows the front wheels 7 to be more efficiently andcompactly stored.

The annular portions of the legs 4,6 and seat frame 3 may be made ofpolyester material, or any material which is durable and has relativelylow frictional properties. The legs 4,6 and seat frame 3 may be made ofextruded aluminium, or any other suitable material. The seat may be madeof nylon or any other suitable material. The seat may also comprise foamto improve the comfort of the seat.

With reference to FIGS. 17 a-17 g, a method of collapsing the pushchair1 is shown. FIG. 17 a shows the pushchair 1 in use as a pushchaircarrying an infant 100. As shown in FIG. 17 b, the infant 100 is firstremoved from the seat 2. The handle 8 is then slide downwardly into theseat frame 3. The seat base 12 is folded upwardly such that it ispressed flat against the seat back 11. The seat base 12 may be securedagainst the seat back by means of a hook and loop fastener or zip.

As shown in FIGS. 17 c and 17 d, the locking bar 15 is removed from thenotch 17, allowing the front legs 6 and rear legs 4 to rotate relativeto the seat frame 3. The rear legs 4 are rotated forwardly, and thefront legs 6 are rotated rearwardly relative to the seat 2 until therear legs 4 and front legs 6 are aligned. FIG. 17 e shows that the seatframe 3 is then rotated relative to the rear legs 4 and front legs 6.Once the seat frame 3 is as close to the front and rear legs 4,6 aspossible, the pivot mechanism 13 locks the legs 4,6 and the seat frame 3together. As shown in FIG. 17 f, the pushchair 1 is then in itscollapsed state, and can be easily carried or wheeled.

The seat 2 is described above as being able to recline. As analternative to the expandable concertina portion being secured by a zip,it is also possible for the concertina portion to be secured by aratchet mechanism 36 as shown in FIGS. 8 a to 8 d. The ratchet mechanism36 is attached on either side of the seat 2, to releasably hold theconcertina portion 29 together to prevent it from expanding. The ratchetmechanism 36 can lock at a number of different points, to allow aplurality of different angles of reclination.

The canopy 30 is described above as rotatably attached to the seat frame3. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the canopy can beslidably attached to the seat frame 3. In the stored position, thecanopy is folded adjacent to the top of the seat back 11. When requiredfor use, the canopy is slid upwardly along the seat frame, and unfoldedso as to cover the seat 2. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, thecanopy could be completely detachable from the pushchair 1. In thisembodiment, the canopy has clips 35, the clips 35 facing outwardly toallow the canopy to be clipped to the handle 8.

Although the pushchair 1 is shown having two front legs and two rearlegs, other arrangements are possible. For example, there may be onlyone front leg, located centrally on the shaft 14. Alternatively, therecould be only a single rear leg.

The cams 37 for ensuring that the rear legs 4 rotate in the correctplane may be configured differently than described above. The cams maybe located adjacent the outer side of the rear legs 4, i.e. between thefront legs 6 and rear legs 4, and secured to the shaft. The cams couldalternatively be attached to the front legs 4, and not rigidly attachedto the shaft 14.

The front wheels 7 may protrude from the pushchair in the collapsedstate and so still be operable. This would allow the pushchair 1 in itscollapsed state to be wheeled along as a piece of luggage.

The front legs 6 and rear legs 4 have been described as rotating aboutthe same shaft 14, and having different axes of rotation. Alternatively,the rear legs 4 could rotate parallel to the seat frame 3 and, the frontlegs could have axes of rotation at an angle to the shaft 14, so thatthey are splayed outwardly in the first state and converge together inthe second, collapsed, state as seen in FIG. 18. In an alternativeembodiment, the front legs 6 and rear legs 4 may not be mounted on thesame shaft 14, but may be mounted on separate shafts or by any othermeans allowing rotation. The front legs 6 and rear legs 4 do not need tobe mounted on the pushchair 1 adjacent to each other, but could beoffset in any direction within a close proximity of each other.

The offset planes of rotation of the rear legs 4 could be effected bymounting the legs 4 on a shaft 14 which is not straight. The rear legs 4would be mounted on a part of the shaft angled to a part of the shaft onwhich the front legs 6 are mounted.

The rotation of the legs 4,6 has been described as limited by means of aparticular arrangement of pins and grooves. The limiting of rotationcould also be effected by the reverse arrangement of pins and grooves,i.e. a pin located on a rear leg engaging with a groove on the frontleg. The pin may be of any cross-sectional shape suitable for sliding ina groove. Any other means for limiting the rotation of the legs relativeto the frame could alternatively be utilised.

The pushing bar 20 may be in the form of a straight bar, or may alsoextend forwardly as bull-bars. The carrying strap 33 may be connectableacross the length of the pushchair 1 or across the width of thepushchair 1. The pushchair 1 may be provided with three buckles, a firstbuckle located at a corner, a second buckle spaced by the length of thepushchair from the first buckle, and a third buckle spaced by the widthof the pushchair from the first buckle. By selection of which twobuckles the strap 33 is connected between, the carrying position of thepushchair 1 in its collapsed state can be varied.

1. A collapsible pushchair comprising: a seat frame; at least one frontleg; a first and a second rear leg; a first notch provided on each legcorresponding to a position of that leg in a first deployed state; asecond notch provided on each leg corresponding to the position of thatleg in a second stored state; and a bar common to all the legs moveableinto engagement with the first notch to lock each leg in their firstdeployed state, and also the bar moveable into engagement with thesecond notch to lock each leg in their second stored state; wherein thepushchair has a first deployed state, and a second stored state in whichthe pushchair is collapsed into a size smaller than in the firstdeployed state; the at least one front leg and the first and second rearlegs are rotatably mounted on a common shaft forming part of the seatframe, such that the at least one front leg and the first and secondrear legs are all rotatable about the shaft in respective arcs centeredon the shaft; and wherein the first and second rear legs haverespectively first and second axes of rotation; and the first axis ofrotation is not parallel to the second axis of rotation, such thatdistal ends of the rear legs spaced from the ends of the rear legsmounted on the seat frame are distanced from each other by a largerdistance when in the first deployed state than when in the second storedstate.
 2. A collapsible pushchair according to claim 1 wherein the atleast one front leg and the rear legs each comprise a curved portion onwhich the first and the second notch are formed, the bar slidable overthe curved portion when not engaged in the first notch or the secondnotch.